Information on Developing U.S. Immigration Policy
The Office of International Students and the President’s Office have assembled the following information and resources to inform the Haverford community about new federal regulations and legislation concerning immigration. Along with colleges and universities across the country, we are continuing to closely monitor the emerging issues and their potential impact on community members. We will communicate with you as the evolving situation warrants.
For official announcements concerning these restrictions on travel and immigration, consult the News and Updates page of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Travel page of the State Department. The Immigration 2017 page of the American Immigration Lawyers Association is another helpful resource. For information about the U.S. justice system's impact on immigration status, consult this article from Nolo.
- On September 6, President Benston sent this letter to the community, reiterating the College's support for all community members and suggesting actionable steps for those concerned with the White House's decision to rescind DACA.
- On September 1, President Benston wrote to President Trump to urge the continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and sent this message to the community.
- On March 16, President Kim Benston joined over 560 college and university presidents and signed this letter to President Trump, organized by the American Council on Education, thanking him for his positive comments about "Dreamers", and urging him to "commit to allowing these productive and high-achieving individuals to continue to work and study while your administration and Congress arrive at a permanent solution."
- On February 2, President Kim Benston signed this letter to President Trump from the presidents of leading American colleges and universities, urging him to “rectify or rescind the recent executive order closing our country’s borders to immigrants and others from seven majority-Muslim countries and to refugees from throughout the world.”
- On January 31, President Kim Benston, Provost Fran Blase, and Dean of the College Martha Denney sent this message to Haverford students, faculty, and staff concerning the January 27 Executive Order.
- On January 25, President Kim Benston organized and then delivered this letter, signed by over 65 of Pennsylvania’s higher-education presidents, to the offices of Senators Casey and Toomey, requesting that the senators join as bipartisan sponsors of the BRIDGE Act. This proposed legislation would extend protections afforded by the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) policy of 2012.
- On December 13, 2016, President Kim Benston and Board Chair Rick White announced, in this letter, the resolution adopted by the Haverford Board of Managers, affirming our support for all of our community members, and our commitment to safeguarding their private information to the extent allowable by law.
- On November 21, 2016, President Kim Benston signed the “Statement in Support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and our Undocumented Immigrant Students” letter organized by Pomona College President David Oxtoby.
Any member of the College community who has specific concerns or questions about how executive orders on immigration could affect them may turn to the following people:
- Students may contact Martha Denney, Dean of the College. Additionally, the offices of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Office of International Student Services are at your service and ready to help.
- Faculty may contact Provost Fran Blase.
- Staff may consult with Muriel Brisbon, our Director of Human Resources and Risk Management.
Members of who the community who are seeking immigration legal advice can find a licensed attorney using AILA’s Lawyer Search. In the past, community members have used the Law Office of Matthew I. Hirsch and Klasko Immigration Law Partners. The College does not endorse or recommend any particular counsel.
Past Events
- Maintaining F-1 Status and Traveling Within and Outside of the U.S.
Friday, February 3, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Faculty Dining Room - Immigration Information Panel and Discussion
Monday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Stokes Auditorium - (Re)Act Community Conversation: Equipping Ourselves to Confront Islamophobia
Facilitated by Sofia Fenner, assistant professor of political science and Middle Eastern studies at Bryn Mawr College
Monday, February 13 12:30-1:30 p.m.
CPGC Cafe (Stokes 104)